Adjustable handle

ABSTRACT

An adjustable handle for use with a receptacle, such as a purse, having a strap or belt traversing two movable loops to form three layers, whereby movement of the loops adjusts the length of the handle. Fasteners may be provided to prevent movement of the layers after adjustement.

United States Patent [1 1 Appel [451 Oct. 14, 1975 1 ADJUSTABLE HANDLE[76] Inventor: Emma Appel, 37 Shahal St., Givat Mordechai, Jerusalem,Israel 22 Filed: Mar. 19, 1974 211 App]. No.: 452,534

[52] US. Cl. 224/46 R; ISO/33 [51] Int. Cl. A45C 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch 224/46 R, 45 P, 45 R, 45 S, 224/55, 48, 57, 54, 49, l A, 1 R, 5R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 649,832 5/ 1900 Furnivall224/55 1,639,574 8/1927 Reiter 190/57 1,725,093 8/1929 Maksik 150/332,745,524 5/1956 Plotkin 190/57 3,035,746 5/1962 Hayes 224/1 A 3,259,2857/1966 Bush 224/46 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 296,657 9/1928United Kingdom 150/33 619,351 3/1949 United Kingdom 224/55 PrimaryExaminer-Frank E. Werner Assistant Examiner-Kenneth Noland Attorney,Agent, or FirmFidelman, Wolffe & Leitner [57] ABSTRACT An adjustablehandle for use with a receptacle, such as a purse, having a strap orbelt traversing two movable loops to form three layers, whereby movementof the loops adjusts the length of the handle. Fasteners may be providedto prevent movement of the layers after adjustement.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This is an invention which relatesgenerally to handles and more specifically to an adjustable handle incombination with a receptacle or purse.

2. Description of the Prior Art Adjustable handles have been providedfor receptacles such as suitcases, valises, purses, etc. The adjustablehandles have generally included two straps independently secured to thereceptacle with their other two ends interacting to provide theadjustment. Typically, the unsecured ends of the straps would haveattached thereto two rings. The attachment is generally invol ed withoverlapping the free end around/through the ring and securing back ontoitself by stitching. A typical example of this type of adjustment handleis found in US. Pat. No. l,5l5,29l. Another type of adjustable handleincludes a strap which is secured at one end through a receptacle, withthe other end interlocking with two rings secured to the other side ofthe receptacle. The strap is generally through the center of the tworings and over the top of the second and goes back through the interiorof the first ring to provide a lock. As is the previous type of device,the two rings are generally encompassed by two other straps which aresecured to the receptacle. A typical example of this two ring device isfound in US Pat. No. 2,394,782. 7

These adjustable handles of the prior art are unduly complicated andexpensive in that they require additional manufacturing steps to securethe rings to use the end of the straps or to the receptacle. Similarly,this concept of one or both sides of the adjustable handle being affixedor secured to the receptacle prevents the use of a detachable and/orinterchangeable, replaceable handle, as exemplified by the variousexamples in US. application Ser. NO. 308,699, filed Nov. 22, 1972, bythe same applicant as this case and incorporated herein by reference. I

, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an adjustable,handle for use with receptacles such as purses, suitcases, valiseswherein a strap or belt which composes the handle transverses the twomovable loops to form a three-layer adjustable handle. The ends ofhandles, or at least one of the handles, removably attached to thereceptacle. The length of the handle is adjustable by movement of theloops'relative to each other. The three layers form a generally Z-shapedpattern with two of each of the layers transversing the interior of eachring. A securing device, such as snaps, are provided to prevent thelayers from moving relative to each other after the adjustment.

' oBJEcrS OF THE INVENTION An object'of the present invention is toprovide an adjustable receptacle handle for use with purses, valises andsuitcases. v

Another object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive handlewhich is adjustable.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable handlewhich. is removabley attached to the receptacle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptaclewith adjustable handles at shoulder length;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable handle prior to formingthe adjustment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable handle after forming theadjustable interrelationship;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable handle including securing means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A description of the preferredembodiment shows FIG. 1 illustrating a preferred embodiment of theadjustable handle 10 removably attached to a receptacle (shown as apurse) 12. The receptacle 12 has loops l4 and 16 made of material whichmay be the same or any other desired material, such as metal rings, asthe purse and extending from the sides thereof. The ends of a strapl8-are fed through the loops 14 and 16 and are secured to buttons 20 and22, which are sewn to the body of the strap 18. The buttonholes 24 and26 are provided for the buttons 20 and 22 so that a small adjustment inthe length of the strap or handle may be made, depending upon theselection of the buttonhole. Handle 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1 is ahandle of shoulder bag length having both sides removably attachedto thepurse so that it may be changed or interchanged with other types ofremovable handles.

. 38 and 40 are provided for cosmetic purposes, but may be used toreceive the ends of the straps. The strap in FIG. 2 will be folded so asto form the Z-shaped strap as shown in FIG. 3 having three layers A, Band C. It should be noted that the Z would appear correct-if viewed fromthe opposite side of FIG. 3.

To achieve the formation of FIG. 3, end 42 of strap 32 is moved over thetop of loop 30 and through loop 28. This provides basic layer A and B.Loop 30 is then rotated so as to appear in FIG. 3 and end 42 is thenmoved back over the top of loop 28 and through loop 30 to form layer Cas shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the strap as shown in FIG. 3 is ready forattachment to the purse or receptacle as shown in FIG. 1.

The specific length of the handle may be adjusted by moving loops 28 and30 relative to each other. To be more specific, to shorten the length ofthe strap, loops 28 and 30 would be moved away from each other so thatmore of the strap 30 is occupied in the area between the two loops. Tolengthen the strap, the two loops are moved closer together.

Another way of forming the generally Z shaped adjustable handle of FIG.3, starting with the handle as shown in FIG. 2, is to move end 42 ofstrap 32 over the top of loop 30 and through loop 28. This isaccomplished and then end 44 may be moved to go under the bottom of loop28 and through loop 30. This will provide the Z shape inverted from thatshape shown in FIG. 3.

Even though this or the previously described method may be used toprovide the three layer generally Z shaped configuration of FIG. 3, itshould be noted that the present adjustable handle has the Z completelyconfined within the interior of the loops. The Z begins above the bottomof loop 28 and ends below the top of loop 30, with two layers traversingthe interior of each loop, or the strap 32 traverses the interior of theloops twice. By providing free moving loops or closed curves, new andadditional manufacturing costs arent involved and time consuming stepsof providing an adjustable handle and costly materials are eliminated.

The loops 28 and 30 may be made from leather, metal, plastic or othermaterials and decorative as well as functional. The Z-shaped strap maybe formed and the buckles 34 and 36 subsequently added. If the buckles34 and 36 are attached to the strap before forming the Z, the loops 28and 30 must be large enough to admit the buckles therethrough.

' FIG. 4 shows another type of belt or strap 46 having a combinationlace 48 and 50 with eyelets 52 and 54. As with the two previous types ofstraps, the straps 48 and 50 are used to secure the end of the strap toitself after transversing loops 14 and 16 of a receptacle. A securingdevice including two male snappers 56 and 58 (one in the interior ofloops 28 and 30, respectively) is provided. Two female snappers 60 and62 are located towards the center of the belt and two female snappers 64located towards the center of the belt and two female snappers 64 and 66are located near the end of the belt for male snappers 56 and 58,respectively. When the Z is adjusted for shoulder length, femalesnappers 60 and 62 are used. When the Z is used to shorten the length ofthe handle, female snappers 64 and 66 are used. These snaps restrain thelayers AB, C and the loops 28 and 30 from moving relative to each otherafter the handles have been adjusted by movement of the loops 28 and 30.Though shown only as one pair of female snapers for each male snapper, aplurality of female snappers may be provided so that the securing devicemay be used for any of a multitude of adjustable lengths of handle. Manyother types of commercially available securing or fastening means may beused as, for example, a hook-and-eye or any other such means.

It is obvious that with the present invention, one end of an adjustablereceptacle handle using any of the strap configurations, may bepermanently affixed to a receptacle with the other end being removablysecured to the receptacle. To use such a handle would require formationof the three-layer generally Z-shaped adjustable shaped handle using thefirst described method. Similarly, the Z shape may be formed and thehandle permanently affixed at bottom ends to the receptacle. Althoughthe invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to beunderstood that the same is by way of illustration and example only. Thedescription is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit andscope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable handle in combination with a receptacle comprising:

a single belt having its two ends attached to said receptacle;

two retention means, each movable on said belt for slidably receiving onsaid belt;

said belt traversing said retention means to form a generally Z-shape,whereby the length of said handie is adjusted by moving said retentionmeans relative to each other; and

means for securing said retention means to said belt to prevent movementafter said adjustment.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said belt traverses the interiorof each retention means twice.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said retention means are loops andsaid securing means are snaps for securing said two loops to said belt.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said two ends of said belt eachincludes a buckle and a plurality of apertures whereby said belt beingremovably attached to said receptacle.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said two ends of said belt eachincludes a button and a plurality of apertures whereby said belt beingremovably attached to said receptacle.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said two ends of said belt eachincludes a pair of laces and a plurality of pairs of apertures wherebysaid belt being removably attached to said receptacle.

7. A combination of an adjustable handle and a receptacle comprising:

a strap having at least one end removably attached to said receptacle;

two substantially closed curves, each m ovably received on said strap;

said strap traversing said closed curves to form three layers of saidstrap between the interior of said closed curves, whereby the length ofsaid handle is adjusted by moving said substantially closed curves; and

means for securing said curves to said strap to prevent movement afteradjustment.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said strap traverses the interiorof each curve twice.

1. An adjustable handle in combination with a receptacle comprising: asingle belt having its two ends attached to said receptacle; tworetention means, each movable on said belt for slidably receiving onsaid belt; said belt traversing said retention means to form a generallyZshape, whereby the length of said handle is adjusted by moving saidretention means relative to each other; and means for securing saidretention means to said belt to prevent movement after said adjustment.2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said belt traverses the interiorof each retention means twice.
 3. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid retention means are loops and said securing means are snaps forsecuring said two loops to said belt.
 4. The combination of claim 1wherein said two ends of said belt each includes a buckle and aplurality of apertures whereby said belt being removably attached tosaid receptacle.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said two ends ofsaid belt each includes a button and a plurality of apertures wherebysaid belt being removably attached to said receptacle.
 6. Thecombination of clAim 1 wherein said two ends of said belt each includesa pair of laces and a plurality of pairs of apertures whereby said beltbeing removably attached to said receptacle.
 7. A combination of anadjustable handle and a receptacle comprising: a strap having at leastone end removably attached to said receptacle; two substantially closedcurves, each movably received on said strap; said strap traversing saidclosed curves to form three layers of said strap between the interior ofsaid closed curves, whereby the length of said handle is adjusted bymoving said substantially closed curves; and means for securing saidcurves to said strap to prevent movement after adjustment.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7 wherein said strap traverses the interior of eachcurve twice.